Jekka McVicar is a world-renowned herb expert, an author, designer and consultant judge. And along with her RHS Gold winning accolades she also has the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) and won the Garden Media Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Jekka and her family run Jekka's Herb Farm in South Gloucestershire where they cultivate more than 400 different types of herbs for culinary, medicinal and horticultural uses. As the UK's first Herbetum there is always something happening at Jekka's, from masterclasses to discovery days for businesses and families. They also supply many of their herbs by mail order.
How have you been in these ever-changing times?
It's been a very long couple of years, especially as in January 2021 the Government decided to close nurseries but keep garden centres open. This meant all nurseries lost another Easter, which is our busiest month as it is the time everyone starts gardening.
We were lucky as we had just revamped our website, rebranded the business and improved how we were seen on Google.
This meant we were able to sell seeds, seed kits, herbal infusions and illustrated gifts online via mail order while the herb farm was closed to visitors.
What basic herbs would you recommend for anyone to grow to start their own burgeoning herb patch?
I always start with asking: “What food do you cook?" as it is important to grow what you will use. For example, if you enjoy making the classic Sunday roast, which consists of roast veg, meat and sometimes fish, then you need to grow herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, dill and fennel.
The reason you should grow herbs you use is firstly, it will give you pleasure to eat something you have nurtured and secondly, by using your herbs, you are maintaining them. This is because, to keep them under control, you must pick or prune them.
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